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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.